Robert F Smith

Robert F. Smith is an American investor, inventor, engineer, philanthropist and entrepreneur. He is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, which is focused on exclusively investing in enterprise software, data and technology-enabld businesses. Throughout his life, Smith's commitment to philanthropy and equity has never wavered, and finding ways to make a difference in the communities where he lives and works is central to his character and approach to life. During his 2019 commencement address at Morehouse College, a Historically Black College, Smith surprised the graduating class by pledging to pay off the entire class' student loan debt -- a $34 million gift that helped nearly 400 graduates. He is also a major donor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, among many others.